Indian vaccine companies may lose the pricing edge as the imminent entry of Chinese companies is likely to change the supply landscape in the world, according to Mahima Datla, senior vice-president of Hyderabad-based Biological E Limited.
Touted as the country’s first biotech product player, Biological E has recently launched the first Japanese Encephalitis vaccine in the country. It is also engaged in the development of various conjugate vaccines.
As the pricing advantage may no longer remain with the Indian companies, it is innovation that has to drive the growth of the Indian vaccine sector going forward, she said on the sidelines of the BioAsia conference here on Friday.
According to her, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has already recognised China’s safety standards with regard to vaccines. Many Chinese companies are likely to approach WHO for pre-qualification, the first step to sell their products to international agencies and global markets, according to her.
Sandeep Sinha, director (healthcare practice – South Asia and West Asia), Frost & Sullivan, however, said that Indian companies still have the R&D and cost-advantage to tap the global opportunities. “India is going strong, especially in IP-related aspects in vaccine and pharma sectors,” he said.
